as in to coerce
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compel
Despite a Justice Department memo claiming Epstein died by suicide and no client list exists, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna have launched a discharge petition to compel a House vote on full disclosure.
—
Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
It isn’t compelled by—doesn’t even recognize—the expression of irritation on my face.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
House Democrats tried to force a vote to compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the files but a procedural vote to move ahead failed.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 16 July 2025
Contrary to Putin’s hopes, U.S. President Donald Trump’s election in 2024 did not compel the West to abandon Kyiv.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
It isn’t compelled by—doesn’t even recognize—the expression of irritation on my face.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
House Democrats tried to force a vote to compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the files but a procedural vote to move ahead failed.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 16 July 2025
Contrary to Putin’s hopes, U.S. President Donald Trump’s election in 2024 did not compel the West to abandon Kyiv.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compel
Verb
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The attention influencers and celebrities generate fuels this model, but rest assured, checks and balances coerce cooperation.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
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If Messi and teammate Jordi Alba skip the event and avoid immediate sanctions, as early reporting from ESPN suggests, what is to coerce Kylian Mbappe 10 years or Lamine Yamal 20 years from now in the twilight of their careers?—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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So far nothing is forcing the city to even help arrest immigrants, even if Immigration and Customs Enforcement asks. Ohio State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) has introduced House Bill 26, which directs state and local authorities to assist ICE.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
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In 2022, then-Land Commissioner George P. Bush forced Paxton into a runoff in his bid for a third term for attorney general.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
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Serving as the unofficial GM of the team founded by Marc D’Amelio, Boatright, 32, told the FS2 announcers he was obligated to play through his twisted ankle and take the lead.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Of course, the mom was more than happy to oblige and let her son plan out the perfect slumber party.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
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Tsui would oblige, and has continued to throughout her life, making athleticism and personal strength pursuits, particularly swimming and surfing, as integral to her life as writing.—
Mickie Meinhardt
July 16,
Literary Hub,
16 July 2025
Verb
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That in turn drove low wages for workers, high staff turnover and limited capacity for children.—
Rachel Wegner,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
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Ananya, driven by loyalty to her grandmother’s legacy and her own political ambitions, reboots this project with ruthless determination.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compel. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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